Plainsongs’ title suggests not only its location on the Great Plains, but also its preference for the living language, whether in free or formal verse. Published three times a year by the English Department of Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, Plainsongs presents poems that seem to be aware of modernist and post-modernist influences, not necessarily by imitation or allusion, but by using the tools provided by that rich heritage. Poets from all fifty states, and many foreign countries as well, contribute regularly to Plainsongs.
Plainsongs poetry magazine has been named recipient of the 2010 Jane Geske Award by the Nebraska Center for the Book. The Jane Geske Award recognizes a Nebraska association, organization, business, library, school, academic institution, or other group that has made an exceptional, long-term contribution to one or more of the following fields in Nebraska: literacy, reading, book selling, books, libraries, or writing.
Plainsongs poetry magazine was started in 1980 at Peru State College and, since 1983, has been published by Hastings College. The current editor of Plainsongs is Dr. Laura Marvel Wunderlich. Dr. Dwight Marsh, emeritus professor of English, was editor prior to Dr. Wunderlich.
The Jane Geske Award is presented at the annual meeting of the Nebraska Center for the Book and is given in honor of Jane Geske, a founding member of the Nebraska Center for the Book and a long-time active member in many Nebraska library and literary activities.
Subscribe
To subscribe to Plainsongs:
- Download this subscription form (PDF file)
- Print the form
- Make check payable to Plainsongs, and mail with completed subscription form to:
Laura Marvel Wunderlich, Editor
Plainsongs
Department of English
Hastings College
Hastings, NE 68901
Submission Guidelines
We invite submissions by postal mail with SASE. Successful contributors receive two copies of the issue in which their poem appears and a one-year subscription to Plainsongs. Three poems are chosen from submissions to each issue and honored as award poems with short essays by the members of our Readers Board. Award poets receive small monetary sums, currently $25.00.
Our submission deadlines (August 15, November 15, and March 15) indicate when we read manuscripts. Manuscripts received shortly before deadlines receive fairly prompt response (7-8 weeks). Others are held longer. We request that poets submit no more than six poems for consideration for each issue.
We assume that poems are not simultaneously submitted elsewhere and have not been previously published. We ask for first-time rights only; copyright reverts to the poet.
We no longer accept email submissions.
Please send submissions to:
Laura Marvel Wunderlich, Editor
Plainsongs
Department of English
Hastings College
Hastings, NE 68901
